Farm Credit Illinois recently hired four college students pursuing an agriculture-related major to complete a 12-week summer internship.

Jeremy Gallivan of Philo

What drew you to FCI? After talking with an FCI representative at a career fair, I could immediately tell this would be a great opportunity for me. I knew I would learn about several different subject matters within my major here.

Kali Walker of Cerro Gordo

Tell us about yourself.
I was raised in Piatt County where I grew up helping my grandparents on their farrow-to-finish swine operation. I graduated from Cerro Gordo High School and earned my associate’s degree at Richland Community College before transferring to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I’ll be a senior this fall, pursing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications with a focus on advertising. Previously, I worked as a marketing intern for the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I’m the daughter of Brandon and Jenny Walker of Cerro Gordo.

What do you value most about living and working in Rural America? The people of Rural America appreciate agriculture more deeply than others because it is an everyday way of life for them. I value this and the strength of rural communities. They are filled with kind, welcoming people willing to help others in need.

Riley Bergmann of Oakdale

Tell us about yourself.
I was raised on my family’s Washington County grain and livestock farm and graduated from Nashville Community High School. I’ll be a senior this fall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I’m pursing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and consumer economics. Previously, I worked as an appraisal intern for Compeer Financial. I’m the son of Jeffrey and Wendy Bergmann of Oakdale.

What does Helping Farm Families Succeed communicate to you? To me, it means Farm Credit Illinois puts their members above everything else. Employees are constantly talking to members and asking how the cooperative can improve. FCI constantly evolves to provide the best products and support for their rural community and farm family members.

Karson Ewerks of Philo

Tell us about yourself.
I was raised in Champaign County and graduated from Unity High School in Tolono. I’ll be a junior this fall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying agricultural and consumer economics. Previously, I was a student worker for the Feed Technology Center at the University of Illinois Feed Mill. My parents are Keith and Krista Ewerks of Philo.

If you had to pick one job on the farm to do full-time, what would it be? I would run the combine. I love helping out during harvest and that is my favorite task; you can just relax and drive.